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Key Points About Neurosurgical Incisions
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before touching the incision.
- Do not peek under the bandage or remove the surgery bandage until directed by your health care provider.
This information will help you and your family care for your incision once you return home. This should only be used as a reference guide; your health care provider’s instructions should always be followed first.
Call the Gillette Nurse Help Line (651-229-3890) if:
- You have any signs of infection.
- The incision pulls apart or opens up.
What Are Signs of Infection with Neurosurgical Incisions?
An incision that’s healing might look pink. It should not be inflamed or deep red. Be sure to watch for any signs of infection, including:
- Redness, swelling or drainage.
- Heat or warmth at the incision site.
- Tender, enlarged lymph nodes nearby (armpit, groin, or neck).
- A new fever of 100.4 F or greater.
How Do I Take Care of Bandages on Neurosurgical Incisions?
- If your bandages become dirty or wet during the first 48 hours after surgery, call the Gillette Nurse Help Line at (651-229-3890).
- Bandages covering the incision must be left on as directed by your health care provider.
- The Steri-Strip bandages will loosen and fall off over time. If these start to pull up from the edges, trim the edges off. If the Steri-Strips fall off in the first couple days after surgery, put on new Steri-Strips. They can be found at a drug store.
- If the incision is rubbing against clothing, gauze may be used to protect the incision.
How Can I Bathe With Neurosurgical Incisions?
Your surgical incision needs time to heal before it can be immersed or soaked in water.
You may take a sponge bath any time after surgery. But while washing yourself, make sure to keep your incision dry. Don’t let water you’re using to clean other parts of your body touch your incision during a sponge bath.
You may take a shower 48 hours after surgery if your incisions are not actively draining or open. If the dressing is still on the incision before your first shower, do not remove it before the shower. After that shower, remove the wet dressing. If your health care provider has told you to keep your dressing on for more than 48 hours after surgery, put a new, dry dressing on the incision.
Avoid all bodies of water (including bathtubs, pools, hot tubs, whirlpools, oceans, rivers, and lakes) for at least 4 weeks after surgery, until the sutures on your incision have dissolved or fallen out, and all scabs have completely healed – whichever comes last. You may need to avoid bathing or soaking in bodies of water until your provider says it’s okay to do so.
How Do I Reduce Scarring After Neurosurgical Incisions?
To reduce or minimize scarring:
- Avoid exposing your incision to the sun for a year. If you can’t avoid the sun, cover the incision with clothing and use sunscreen. Scars exposed to the sun in the first year after new scar formation can darken permanently.
- Use silicone scar gel or sheets on the incision after it is completely healed and a scar has formed. These can be purchased over the counter.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole-grain breads. Increase intake of vitamin C and protein. Drink plenty of water and juices. Good nutrition is necessary for healing.
Translations
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team.
If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact the Nurse Help Line at 651-229-3890.
